Free Flow Ingredient Cap Device

ABSTRACT

Aspects described herein provide cap devices for dispensing a composition, the cap devices having chambers, shells, cutting elements, piercers, optional dust covers, and films. Exemplary basket piercers are provided for partially removing a film from the bottom of the chamber permitting a free flow of a composition from the cap device. Methods of using the cap devices are also provided.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/856,267, filed Jul. 19, 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if restated in full.

BACKGROUND

Conventional liquid beverages are distributed in disposable containers with all of the ingredients of the beverage pre-mixed with the liquid beverage inside the container. The liquid is either pasteurized or contains preservatives to prevent degradation of ingredients that are suspended or dissolved in the liquid. Any additional ingredients that are not be pre-mixed with the liquid prior to distribution but that are designed to be added to the liquid before consumption are conventionally kept separate from the liquid in a second container. Keeping additional ingredients separate from the liquid in a second container is inconvenient for the consumer, who must then add the additional ingredients from the second container into the container holding the liquid. Also, the consumer must accurately measure and combine the ingredients, because variations in the ratio of additional ingredients to liquid may alter the properties (e.g., taste, viscosity, organoleptic properties, etc.) of the final beverage.

Disposable containers typically include a cap designed to provide a leak-resistant seal over the opening of the container containing the liquid, for example, over mouth of a bottle. A cap that could contain additional ingredients separate from the liquid while allowing the user to add the additional ingredients to the liquid and still provide a leak-resistant seal would be desirable.

Cap devices for dispensing ingredients are typically associated with a container containing a liquid (e.g., water, tea, juice, etc.) with the bottom opening of the cap device associated with the top opening of the container. The ingredients may be retained in the cap device by the presence of a film (e.g., foil, plastic, mesh, etc.) over the bottom opening of the cap device. Previous cap devices have cutting or piercing elements (e.g., metal or plastic edges) to puncture or cut the film to allow the ingredients to be dispensed into the liquid. However, the cutting or piercing elements and structures used to place the cutting or piercing elements in position to cut or pierce the film (e.g., piercer arms) impede the flow of ingredients out of the cap device and into the container. After cutting or piercing the film with these cap devices, consumers typically agitate or shake the container to mix the ingredients with the liquid. Agitation of the container may aid in removal of ingredients from the cap device. However, the cutting elements and associated structures still may retain un-dissolved ingredients and particulate matter. These ingredients are not dissolved in the liquid, reducing the concentration of ingredients in the liquid and the quality of the product. In addition, retention of ingredients in the cap may lead to premature spoilage if the beverage is not completely consumed directly after dispensing the ingredients into the container. It would be advantageous to have an ingredient-dispensing cap device for facilitating the free flow of ingredients into an associated container.

SUMMARY

Cap devices are provided for facilitating free flow of ingredients into a container. In this manner, substantially all of the fresh ingredients in the cap device can be mixed with a liquid or other material just prior to consumption maximizing the stability, taste, and activity of the ingredients.

Aspects described herein provide cap devices adapted for containers (e.g., disposable containers). In one aspect, the cap devices provide a shell adapted to be associated with a container and a chamber containing a composition and adapted to associate with the shell. In another aspect, the chamber has a film which prevents the composition from being released until desired. In this aspect, when the chamber is actuated and moved into the shell (e.g., with a downward force), the film is pierced or cut by a cutting element in the shell and the composition is released into the container.

In one aspect, the cap devices have a chamber for containing a composition. In this aspect, the chamber comprises one or more side walls, a top wall, a center cavity, a bottom opening, and a film adapted to cover at least part of the bottom opening. In another aspect the cap device also provides a shell for associating the cap device with a container. The exemplary shell comprises a shell base and a shell basket, the shell basket having one or more side walls, and a basket piercer disposed on one or more of the one or more side walls. In this aspect, the basket piercer partially removes the film from the bottom opening when the chamber is actuated into the shell. In a further aspect, the chamber can be actuated into the shell in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shell.

In another aspect, the shell basket has at least one side wall having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. A basket piercer can be disposed on the top portion. In yet another aspect, the basket piercer can be disposed on the top portion and the middle portion. The basket piercer comprises, for example, a cutting element for cutting or piercing a film. In another aspect, the top portion slopes downward toward the middle portion of the side wall. In yet another aspect, the shell further comprises a shell side cavity between the shell basket and the first side wall of the basket piercer. After the chamber is actuated into the shell, the film is cut or pierced by the basket piercer and the film is substantially disposed into the shell side cavity. In this aspect, a portion of the film may still be attached to the bottom opening after the film is cut or pierces by the cutting element. However, substantially all of the film is removed from the bottom opening and the center cavity of the chamber is substantially free of obstruction from the film. In yet another aspect, the film is circular and at least about 320 to about 340 degrees of the film is pierced or cut by the basket piercer.

In one aspect, the shell basket has a first wall and a second wall, and a shell side cavity is disposed between the first wall and the second wall. In this aspect, the first wall has a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, and the top portion of the first wall slopes toward the middle portion of the first wall. In another aspect, a basket piercer is disposed on the top portion of the first wall.

Any suitable ingredient, ingredients, or combination of ingredients can be included in the composition. The composition can comprise a single ingredient or any suitable number of ingredients. In addition to edible and nutritional ingredients (e.g., vitamin supplements, natural products and extracts, enzymes, etc.), non-edible ingredients (e.g., perfumes, topical preparations) can be included in the composition and added to a material such as soap, lotion, makeup, and shampoo.

Further aspects provide methods of adding a composition to a container with the cap devices described herein. In this aspect, a chamber containing a composition is adapted to engage with and reside in the shell. When the chamber is actuated into the shell, the film engages with the cutting element disposed on the basket piercer. The film is partially removed from the bottom opening of the chamber and substantially removed from the center cavity and the composition is dispensed into the container.

In yet another aspect, methods of dispensing a composition into a material are provided. In this aspect, the method provides a chamber containing a composition, a shell, and a container. The chamber can comprise one or more side walls, a top wall, a center cavity, a bottom opening, and a film adapted to cover at least part of the bottom opening. The top wall of the chamber can be removable, form a door, or have an access port for drinking or for the addition of ingredients.

The shell can comprise a shell base and a shell basket. The shell basket can comprise one or more side walls and a basket piercer disposed adjacent to the one or more side walls. In one aspect, the basket piercer is axially disposed in the shell basket.

In this aspect, the chamber is in communication with the shell and the shell is in communication with the container. The chamber can be actuated into the shell in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shell wherein the basket piercer partially removes the film from the bottom opening and the composition is dispensed into the container.

In another aspect, the shell basket has at least one side wall having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. In yet another aspect, the cutting element is disposed on the top portion. In another aspect, the basket piercer is cylindrical and the cutting element is disposed on one side of the top portion. The top portion can gradually slope downward toward the middle portion of the basket.

In another aspect, the shell further comprises a shell side cavity between the shell basket and the basket piercer. In this aspect, after the film is cut by the basket piercer, the film is substantially disposed into the shell side cavity.

In another aspect, the film is substantially removed from the center cavity of the chamber. The film can be circular and at least about 320 to about 340 degrees of the film is pierced or cut by the basket piercer when the chamber is actuated into the shell.

In another aspect, after the composition is dispensed into the liquid or other material in the container, the container can be agitated which distributes the material in the chamber to remove residual composition. In this aspect, the film has been substantially removed from the bottom opening and the center cavity of the shell and chamber are unobstructed by structures. In this aspect, at least about 99% of the composition is removed from the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary cap device having a dust cover, chamber, shell, shell basket, and basket piercer;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary assembled cap device of FIG. 1 before opening;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary shell, shell basket, and basket piercer;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary shell, shell basket, and basket piercer 90 degrees from the perspective of the exemplary shell of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the cap device dust cover, chamber, shell, shell basket, and basket piercer;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are bottom and side views respectively of the initial stage of actuating a chamber with a film containing a composition into a shell comprising a basket piercer for partially removing the film;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are bottom and side views respectively of a further stage of actuating a chamber with a film containing a composition being actuated into a shell comprising a basket piercer for partially removing the film; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are bottom and side views respectively of the last stage of actuating a chamber with a film containing a composition being actuated into a shell comprising a basket piercer for partially removing the film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventional ingredient dispensing cap devices use a cutting element to cut the film covering the portion of the cap containing the ingredients. By using the cutting element, ingredients can be mixed just prior to consumption or use in order to maximize freshness and potency of the ingredients. However, the ingredients are often not fully dissolved in or transported to the liquid or other material in the container. For example, the ingredients may include larger particles or may not readily dissolve in the material in the container. Often residual ingredients are left behind in the cap because they were not adequately dissolved or dispersed in the liquid or other material or because structures present in the cap limit the flow of liquid or other material into and out of the cap or retain particles. Consumers may become frustrated with agitating the container too vigorously or for too long in order to fully mix the ingredients prior to consumption.

Free flow ingredient dispensing cap devices are provided that remove the cutting element from the center cavity. In some aspects, the cap devices remove substantially all of the film from the center cavity of the cap device while a portion of the film remains attached. In these aspects, the film is moved out of the center cavity so it does not impede the flow of ingredients or liquid or other material or fall into the container. These aspects increase the flow of liquid or other material into the cap device by, for example, removing structures from the center cavity. Removing structures from the center cavity also frees additional volume in the cap in order to include a larger volume of ingredients.

A cap dispensing device can contain a chamber for housing a required amount of additional ingredients. The chamber can have any required volume, for example, about 5 mL to about 20 mL, about 10 mL to about 15 mL, or about 13 mL; for solids with a density of about 0.8 g/mL, this equates to a solid capacity of about 4 g to about 16 g, or about 8 g to about 12 g, or about 10 g. The chamber need not contain any particular type of ingredient. In one aspect, an ingredient can be added to the chamber to prevent or avoid caking of the composition (e.g., rice powder, silicon dioxide, glidant etc.). When an ingredient is present in the chamber, the ingredient typically takes up about 95% or less, or about 80% or less, or about 75% or less, or about 70% or less, or about 65% or less, or about 50% or less of the total available volume of the chamber. For example and without limitation, about 2 grams of solid can be contained in an exemplary chamber sized such that the about 2 grams of solid takes up about 60% of the total available volume of the chamber.

The chamber can include one or more side walls and one or more top walls attached to the one or more side walls. The chamber can also include an opening opposite the one or more top walls. The top wall of the chamber can be removable, form a door, or have an access port for drinking or for the addition of ingredients. In another aspect, the chamber can have at least two openings. At least part of any opening can be covered by a film, which can be any type of film known in the art. For example, the film can include at least one of a plastic film, a metal film, a foil film, a paper film, and a film containing a combination of the foregoing (e.g., a metalized plastic film). The film can be, for example, a bi-axially oriented film of polypropylene or metalized polypropylene. The film can provide a barrier to at least one of moisture and oxygen. The film can be made of a material that does not increase the actuation force (i.e., the force required to depress the chamber into the shell), for example, a material designed such that only a trivial amount of force is required to pierce and break the film when the film engages a cutting element. The film can cover a part of an opening, or it can cover an entire opening.

Aspects described herein provide a chamber for containing a composition. In one aspect, the chamber comprises one or more side walls, a top wall, a center cavity, a bottom opening, and a film adapted to cover at least part of the bottom opening. The chamber can contain a composition with one or more ingredients.

The ingredients can be edible or non-edible. In one aspect, the composition is selected from the group consisting of camu, camu berry, manoic root, acerola berry, amla berry, beet, buckwheet berry sprouts, blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, cherry, rose hips, lemon, lemon peel, black pepper, algae, spirulina, klamath, chlorella, dunaliella, kelp, wakame, kombu, bladderwrack, dulse, laver, millet sprouts, quinoa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, apple, green papaya, enzymes, amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, mushrooms, reishi, shiitake, maitake, agraricus, cordyceps, astragalus root, eleuthero root, lycium berry, angelica sinensis root, schizandara berry, bai-zhu atractylodes rhizome, fo-ti root, paeonia lactiflor root, rehmannia root, codonopsis root, licorice root, jujube fruit, jojoba berry, poria, ginger, ginger rhizome, tangerine peel, polygala root, ligusticum wallichii rhizome, wheat grass, barley grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass, spinach leaf, parsley leaf, kale leaf, collard leaf, nettle leaf, red clover flower, skullcap flower, skullcap leaf, burdock root, ginkgo leaf, yellow dock root, dandelion leaf, rosemary leaf, clove bud, sage leaf, natural vitamin E sunflower, and chia seed.

Non-edible ingredients (e.g., aloe, vitamins, topical preparations, perfumes, lotions, cleansers, conditioners, etc.) can be dispensed in, for example, shampoos or liquid soap preparations.

Aspects provide a shell for associating the cap device with a container and adapted to axially receive a chamber. In one aspect, the shell includes a shell base and a shell basket. In this aspect, the shell basket includes one or more side walls and a basket piercer disposed adjacent to the one or more side walls. In another aspect, the shell, shell base, shell basket, and basket piercer are cylindrical with the shell base axially disposed in the shell, the shell basket axially disposed in the shell base, and the basket piercer axially disposed in the shell basket. In another aspect, the shell basket has two or more walls, and a shell side cavity (e.g., space, depression, etc.) between two of the walls of the shell basket. Threading elements can be provided in addition to or in lieu of the shell base for associating the cap device with a container.

In another aspect, a cutting element is disposed on the top portion of a side wall of the basket piercer. The cutting element can be of any suitable shape (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, diamond etc.) and be made of any suitable materials (e.g., plastic, metal, paper etc.). The cutting element can be integrated into the basket piercer (e.g., form a part of the top portion of the basket piercer) or be a separate element associated with or attached to the basket piercer. In another aspect, the entire top portion of the basket piercer can be a cutting edge or comprise a series of cutting edges.

In yet another aspect, the top portion of side wall of the basket piercer slopes downward toward the middle portion of the side wall. The slope can be of any suitable grade (steep, moderate, or gradual). In one aspect, the angle of inclination to the horizontal for the grade is from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees. In another aspect, the grade is curved. In yet another aspect, the cutting element can be disposed at the apex of the top portion of the side wall or the entire top portion or a part of the top portion of the basket piercer can be a cutting element.

In one aspect, when the chamber is actuated or pushed downward into the shell in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the shell, the film engages the cutting element disposed on the top portion of a side wall of the basket piercer. In this aspect, as the chamber is actuated downward, the film is gradually pierced or cut and removed from the bottom portion of the chamber in a substantially circular pattern following the contour of the downward slope of the top portion of the basket piercer. In this aspect, substantially all of the film is removed with the exception of a small portion that remains attached to the outer perimeter of the bottom opening of the chamber. In another aspect, about 320 to 340 degrees of the film is removed from the outer perimeter of the bottom opening of the chamber.

In another aspect, as the film is removed, it is substantially moved into the shell side cavity (i.e., the space between two walls of the shell basket). Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the downward slope of the top portion of the basket piercer causes the film to move outward and into the shell side cavity. For example, as the chamber is pressed down, the cutting element of the basket piercer pushes up against the foil until the foil is taught, whereupon it cuts the foil. The initial upward force pushes the foil upward. As the chamber descends into the cavity between the basket piercer and the shell basket, the foil, still attached in part to the chamber, is pulled down into the shell side cavity.

Advantageously, the film is removed from the center cavity of the chamber and the shell. In this aspect, since a small portion of the film remains attached to the bottom portion of the chamber, the risk of the film falling into the container is eliminated or greatly reduced. Previous cap devices cut or puncture the film in the center, moving pieces of the film radially outward from the point where the cutting element engages the film. Although these portions of the film may remain attached to the bottom portion of the chamber and not fall into the container, their presence in the center cavity of the chamber impedes the flow of material into the chamber. In addition, undissolved ingredients may be retained on these portions of the film.

In one aspect, the material is selected from the group consisting of water, juice, soda, seltzer, non-caloric flavored beverages, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated beverages, brewed beverages, milk and milk products, almond milk, tea, and coffee.

Methods for adding a composition to a container are provided. In one aspect, the exemplary chambers, shells, and containers described herein are configured to retain and deliver ingredients or a composition retained in, for example, the chamber to the container upon actuation or movement of the chamber into the shell. The chamber can contain ingredients or a composition that is retained in the chamber by a film disposed on the perimeter of the bottom opening of the chamber.

When the chamber is actuated into the shell, for example, by downward pressure on the top portion of the chamber, the film engages with the cutting element on the basket piercer and is partially removed from the bottom portion of the chamber. In one aspect, the film is also removed from the center cavity of the chamber such that the chamber, shell, and container are in open communication through a center cavity. The ingredients or composition are dispensed from the chamber into the container.

After the ingredients are dispensed into the container, the consumer can shake or agitate the container in any suitable manner (e.g., rotate the container side to side, move the container up and down) in order to mix the ingredients with the material. After agitation of the container, the material can enter the chamber, contact and mix with the composition, and dissolve or dilute the ingredients.

The container is adapted to receive the shell using any suitable structures (e.g., threads, beads, adhesive etc.). The container can be made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic, metal, or paper) and any suitable configuration (e.g., bottle, boxes, cup, etc.). In one aspect, the container comprises a material which is capable of mixing with the composition (e.g., water, juice, soda, seltzer, non-caloric flavored beverages, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated beverages, brewed beverages, milk and milk products, almond milk, tea, coffee, soap, lotion, makeup, and shampoo).

The film can be made of any suitable porous or non-porous biodegradable or non-biodegradable covering (e.g., plastic, foil, fabric, fiber etc.). In one aspect, the chamber, shell, shell basket, and shell basket piercer are cylindrical. In another aspect, chamber, shell, shell basket, and shell basket piercer are of any suitable shape (e.g., square, triangular, and rectangular).

In one aspect, the basket piercer comprises a cutting element having one or more edges. The cutting element can be of any suitable shape (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, diamond etc.) and be made of any suitable materials (e.g., plastic, metal, paper etc.). The cutting element can be integrated into the basket piercer (e.g., form a part of the top portion of the basket piercer) or be a separate element associated with or attached to the basket piercer.

In certain aspects, the foil is removed from the center cavity of the chamber and is retained in the shell side cavity rather than remaining in the center cavity of the chamber or shell, the material has free flow access to the entire chamber. In addition, while substantially the entire film is removed and moved to the shell side cavity, a small portion remains attached to the outer perimeter of the bottom opening of the chamber. These features have several implications. In one aspect, the flow rate of the liquid or other material is increased by about 300% compared to cap devices with conventional cutting elements and other structures that remain in the center cavity of the chamber or the shell. In another aspect, the increased flow washes out residual or undissolved ingredients in the chamber maximizing the concentration of the ingredients in the container. In yet another aspect, removing structures from the center cavity of the chamber permits addition of a larger volume of ingredients to the chamber.

In one aspect, the capacity of the cap device is at least about 85% fill. In contrast, conventional cap devices are limiting to 20-60% fill depending on the density and hydroscopic nature of the ingredients. In another aspect, the fill capacity of the cap devices described herein are at least about 5-6 grams of a hygroscopic powder (e.g., “green powder” (including, but not limited to, cucumber, algae, bladderwack, chlorella, sprouts, mushrooms), sugar, honey). In yet another aspect, the fill capacity for hygroscopic ingredients (e.g., chia seeds) is at least 8.5-9 grams.

In other aspects, removal of structures from the center cavity of the shell facilitates molding of the cap device reducing costs. In yet another aspect, additional features such as a plug seal can be more readily applied or added due to, for example, reduced complexity in molding the shell.

EXAMPLES

Non-limiting examples are now provided with reference to the figures, where like numbers represent like elements.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary cap device 400 is shown with an optional dust cover 100, chamber 200, and shell 300. Chamber 200 has a top portion 202 and a bottom opening 204 which can be covered by film 205 (not shown). Shell 300 has shell chimney 302, shell base 304, shell basket 305, basket piercer 306, cutting element 308, and shell side cavity 310. Cutting element 308 is disposed on the top portion of a side wall of basket piercer 306. Shell side cavity 310 is adjacent to shell basket 305 and basket piercer 306.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary assembled cap device 400 prior to actuation. In FIG. 2, dust cover 100 is attached to the base of cap shell 300. In use, a consumer can twist the dust cover and access the chamber 200.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal-section of an exemplary shell 300. Shell side cavity 310 is disposed between shell basket first wall 307 and shell basket second wall 303 of shell basket 306. Basket piercer 313, including basket piercer top portion 311, basket piercer middle portion 312, and basket piercer bottom portion 309 are disposed on the shell basket first wall 307. Basket piercer top portion 311 is shown with a curved downward slope from cutting element 308 toward basket piercer Middle Portion 312. In this example, basket piercer top portion 311 and basket piercer middle portion 312 form cutting element 308.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate longitudinal-section of an exemplary shell 300. Basket piercer top portion 311 is shown with a gradual slope from cutting element 308 toward basket piercer middle portion 312.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of unassembled cap device 400 prior to actuation.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate cutting the film with cutting element 308 and basket piercer 313 as chamber 200 is actuated into shell 300. FIG. 6A shows a bottom view of shell 300, cutting element 308, basket piercer 313, shell side cavity 310, and film 205 just after beginning the actuation of chamber 200 into shell 300. FIG. 6B shows a side view of the cap device of FIG. 6A with chamber 200, top portion 202, bottom portion 204, film 205, shell 300, shell chimney 302, basket piercer 313, cutting element 308, and shell side cavity 310. Cutting element 308 is shown at the initial stage of piercing film 205.

FIGS. 7A (bottom view) and 7B (side view) further depict film 205 being partially cut by cutting element 308 as chamber 200 is actuated into shell 300. FIGS. 8A (bottom view) and 8B (side view) show substantially all of film 205 removed from the bottom opening (not shown) and folded into shell side cavity 310. A portion of film 205 remains attached to bottom opening 204 (not shown). In this example, film 205 is substantially removed from the center cavity of the chamber 200 and shell 300 which results in dispensing the ingredients in chamber 200 into the container with minimal structures present to retain the ingredients or impede the flow of liquid or material into chamber 200 in order remove residual ingredients from chamber 200. In addition, film 205 remains at least partially attached to bottom opening 204 and is not dispensed into the container.

The container with the actuated cap device 400 can be agitated, for example by shaking, to ensure that at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95%, essentially all, or all of the contents of the chamber 200 are added to the container. Shell 300 can then be removed from the opening in the container and the contents of the container, which includes at least part of the composition formerly within the chamber 200 and the liquid or other material originally in the container can be consumed or used.

Any type of ingredient, including one or more of a solid, liquid, and a gaseous ingredient, may be contained within the chamber 200 or any of chamber or shell described herein. As one example, raw ingredients, such as those which have not been exposed to a temperature of more than 117° F. and thus contain active natural enzymes which can be killed by exposure to such temperatures, can be included. Phytonutrients, such as bioactive compounds from fruits and vegetables can also be included. Freeze dried (lyophilized) fruit, vegetable, plant, or animal materials can be included. Organic materials, such as materials derived from plants grown without the use of one or more of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, genetic modification, and harmful chemicals can be included. Exemplary components of a composition to be contained within the chamber 200 include beets, camu camu berry, manoic root (manihot utilissima), acerola berry, amla berry, buckwheet berry sprouts, blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, cherry, rose hips, lemon peel, black pepper, algae (e.g. spirulina, klamath, chlorella, dunaliella, kelp, wakame, kombu, bladderwrack, dulse, and laver), millet sprouts, quinoa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, apple, green papaya, enzymes (e.g. amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease), mushrooms (e.g., reishi, shiitake, maitake, agraricus, cordyceps), astragalus root, eleuthero root, lycium (goji) berry, angelica sinensis root, schizandara berry, bai-zhu atractylodes rhizome, fo-ti root, paeonia lactiflor root, rehmannia root, codonopsis root, licorice (anise) root, jujube fruit, jojoba berry, poria, ginger, lemon, ginger rhizome, tangerine peel, polygala root, ligusticum wallichii rhizome, wheat grass, barley grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass, spinach leaf, parsley leaf, kale leaf, collard leaf, nettle leaf, red clover flower, skullcap flower, skullcap leaf, burdock root, ginkgo leaf, yellow dock root, dandelion leaf, rosemary leaf, clove bud, sage leaf, natural vitamin E (e.g., from sunflower), chia seed, extracts of any of the foregoing, lyophilized forms of any of the foregoing, and combinations of any of the foregoing.

Note that while the cap device 400, other cap devices described herein, and associated methods have been described primarily with respect to beverage products, they can also be used with compositions that are designed to be added to containers with other liquids or other materials. For example, the cap device 400 could contain the solid components of cement or plaster in the chamber 200 (or any of the exemplary chambers or shells described herein) for addition to a liquid or other material within the container. The chamber 200 (or any of the exemplary chambers or shells described herein) could also contain a component of an adhesive, such as an epoxy, for addition to a second component of the adhesive within a container. Compositions (e.g., fragrances, herbs, vitamins, lotions) for addition to cosmetics or consumer products (e.g., shampoo, cosmetics, mouthwash, etc.) can also be used with the cap devices described herein.

Further, not every element described herein is required. For example, the dust cover may be omitted if it is not desired for a particular end-use of a cap device. In addition, features of particular exemplary chambers, shells, piercers, and threads can be utilized in any aspect described herein. Indeed, a person of skill in the art will find numerous additional uses of and variations to the cap devices and methods described herein, which the inventors intend to be limited only by the claims. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A cap device comprising: a chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising one or more side walls, a top wall, a center cavity, a bottom opening, and a film adapted to cover at least part of the bottom opening; and a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a shell base and a shell basket, the shell basket comprising one or more side walls, and a basket piercer disposed adjacent to the one or more side walls of the shell basket wherein the basket piercer partially removes the film from the bottom opening when the chamber is actuated into the shell.
 2. The cap device of claim 1, wherein the basket piercer comprises a cutting element having one or more edges.
 3. The cap device of claim 2, wherein the shell basket has at least one side wall having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion.
 4. The cap device of claim 3, wherein the basket piercer is disposed on the top portion.
 5. The cap device of claim 4, wherein the top portion slopes downward toward the middle portion.
 6. The cap device of claim 1, wherein the shell basket comprises a first wall and a second wall, the shell further comprising a shell side cavity between a first wall of the shell basket and a second wall of the shell basket.
 7. The cap device of claim 6, wherein after the film is cut by the basket piercer, a first portion of the film remains attached to the bottom opening of the chamber and a second portion of the film is substantially disposed into the shell side cavity.
 8. The cap device of claim 1, wherein the film is substantially removed from the center cavity of the chamber.
 9. The cap device of claim 7, wherein the film is circular and at least about 320 to about 340 degrees of the film is pierced or cut by the basket piercer.
 10. The cap device of claim 1, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of camu, camu berry, manoic root, acerola berry, amla berry, beet, buckwheet berry sprouts, blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, cherry, rose hips, lemon, lemon peel, black pepper, algae, spirulina, klamath, chlorella, dunaliella, kelp, wakame, kombu, bladderwrack, dulse, laver, millet sprouts, quinoa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, apple, green papaya, enzymes, amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, mushrooms, reishi, shiitake, maitake, agraricus, cordyceps, astragalus root, eleuthero root, lycium berry, angelica sinensis root, schizandara berry, bai-zhu atractylodes rhizome, fo-ti root, paeonia lactiflor root, rehmannia root, codonopsis root, licorice root, jujube fruit, jojoba berry, poria, ginger, ginger rhizome, tangerine peel, polygala root, ligusticum wallichii rhizome, wheat grass, barley grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass, spinach leaf, parsley leaf, kale leaf, collard leaf, nettle leaf, red clover flower, skullcap flower, skullcap leaf, burdock root, ginkgo leaf, yellow dock root, dandelion leaf, rosemary leaf, clove bud, sage leaf, natural vitamin E sunflower, and chia seed.
 11. A method of adding a composition to a container with the cap device of claim 1, comprising: actuating the chamber wherein at least a portion of the chamber engages with and resides in the shell and the film engages with the cutting element; partially removing the film with the basket piercer wherein the film is substantially removed from the center cavity of the chamber and the composition is added to the container.
 12. A method of dispensing a composition into a material, comprising: providing a chamber containing a composition, the chamber comprising one or more side walls, a top wall, a center cavity, a bottom opening, and a film adapted to cover at least part of the bottom opening; providing a shell, the shell comprising a shell base and a shell basket, the shell basket comprising one or more side walls, and a basket piercer disposed on one or more of the one or more side walls; providing a container comprising a material which is capable of mixing with the composition; associating the chamber with the shell such that the chamber is in communication with the shell; associating the shell with the container such that the shell is in communication with the container; and actuating the chamber into the shell wherein the basket piercer partially removes the film from the bottom opening wherein the composition is dispensed into the container.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the basket piercer comprises a cutting element having one or more edges.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the shell basket has at least one side wall having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the basket piercer is disposed on the top portion.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the top portion slopes downward toward the middle portion.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the shell further comprises a shell side cavity between a first wall and a second wall of the shell basket and wherein after the film is cut by the basket piercer, the film is substantially disposed into the shell side cavity.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the film is substantially removed from the center cavity of the chamber.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the film is circular and at least about 320 to about 340 degrees of the film is pierced or cut by the basket piercer.
 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising agitating the container wherein the material enters the chamber and contacts the composition.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of water, juice, soda, seltzer, non-caloric flavored beverages, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated beverages, brewed beverages, milk and milk products, almond milk, tea, coffee, soap, lotion, makeup, and shampoo.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein at least about 99% of the composition is removed from the chamber.
 23. The cap device of claim 1, wherein the shell basket comprises a first wall and a second wall, a shell side cavity is disposed between the first wall and the second wall, the first wall has a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, the top portion of the first wall slopes toward the middle portion of the first wall, and a basket piercer is disposed on the first wall. 